TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Minister of Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) on Tuesday (June 18) confirmed the sighting of a Chinese submarine off the coast of Penghu.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) led a delegation of Cabinet officials to the Legislative Yuan for a policy report on Tuesday. Before the meeting, Koo made these remarks to the media, per CNA.

The incident occurred while Penghu fishers were fishing for squid near the Taiwan Strait median line on Tuesday at 5 a.m., reported Liberty Times. The fishers said they saw the submarine surface, followed by the arrival of a Chinese warship that escorted the submarine back toward China.

Analysts suggest it might be a Type 094 nuclear submarine, capable of carrying up to 12 JL-3 ballistic missiles, posing a threat to regional peace and stability, reported Public Television Service (PTS).

When asked about the potential intentions of the Chinese submarine, Koo reiterated that the Ministry of Defense (MND) has the situation under control.

“We have the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance means, but I don't think it is appropriate to disclose the detailed investigation methods here,” he said.